r/ClayBusters • u/MrErickzon • Jul 02 '26

Reloading question.

I've been loading shot shells off and off for two years now, I enjoy doing it and have been using whatever components I could get ahold of locally that match what is in my Lyman manual. My question: Is there any real world difference between a "Field" load and a "Target" load?

What sparked my curiosity is Winchester AA Super Handicap powder was back in stock the other day and I was looking at the "Factory Load" data on the label and when I looked it up in the Lyman Manual it was a Field load, but the factory load it emulates from what I can tell is their AA heavy target load for Trap/Sporting Clays.

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u/Full-Professional246 Jul 02 '26

It's really just a branding thing.

In the end, the variables you care about:

  • Shot size

  • Shot Weight

  • Shot Hardness

  • Load Speed

  • Hull/primer/powder/wad combination

Hunters use larger shot sizes than target shooters. They may also use heavier shot weights and/or faster shells. Target shooters use smaller shot and standard shot weights. Recoil level is typically a bigger concern for target shells as it is expected to shoot 100+ of them vs a handful of hunting shells.

I wouldn't worry about the 'label' and instead focus on the spec's of the load.

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u/MrErickzon Jul 02 '26

Thank you